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2008 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

665 reports with mileage · 145 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 221 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

51 crash reports10 fire reports36 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

50 reports
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113,455 miles · Oct 22, 2014
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO CUT OFF. I HAVE SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE CHEVROLET CORPORATE OFFICE. EACH TIME I GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOL…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO CUT OFF. I HAVE SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE CHEVROLET CORPORATE OFFICE. EACH TIME I GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WAS SENSORS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1200. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SPARK PLUGS THAT IS CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN AND THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $400 OR $500. THE FIRST SERVICE IN JULY MY RECEIPT SAYS THEY DID A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION WOULD THAT NOT TELL THEM MY PLUGS WERE BAD? MY CAR IS STILL AT FRIENDLY CHEVROLET IN DALLAS CAN YOU PLEASE HELP. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE A HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649272

74,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH AND STRUCK A MASSIVE ROCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH AND STRUCK A MASSIVE ROCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643354

76,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Air BagsSuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAKING A TURN, IT FELT AS IF THE REAR TIRES LIFTED OFF THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641773

173,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V517000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640832

65,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Air BagsCrash

THE CAR WENT UNDER 2 TRACTOR TRAILERS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED NOR DID THE CAR EVER SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637963

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,716.

NHTSA ODI #10631026

46,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA . THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REAR ENDED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE INSPECTED AND DEEMED FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA . THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REAR ENDED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE INSPECTED AND DEEMED FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 10/14/14*LJ UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10628668

176,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A FLATBED TOW TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI #10621376

61,715 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY TRAFFIC SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I CHANGED LANES. AS I CHANGED LANES I WAS UNABLE TO STEER AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR BROADSIDE. THE CAR I HIT HAD ITS AIR BAGS DEPLOY. MINE DID NOT. DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ALL FRONT END AND DRIVERS REAR DOOR. NO INJUR…

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WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY TRAFFIC SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I CHANGED LANES. AS I CHANGED LANES I WAS UNABLE TO STEER AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR BROADSIDE. THE CAR I HIT HAD ITS AIR BAGS DEPLOY. MINE DID NOT. DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ALL FRONT END AND DRIVERS REAR DOOR. NO INJURIES EXCEPT BUMPS AND BRUISES. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN RECALLED FOR THE IGNITION KEY ISSUE BY GM. WAS UNAWARE OF ISSUE BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599063

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

PETITION FOR DEFECT AND RECALL RE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE GM ALGORITHMS IDENTIFYING THE WEIGHT AND SIZE OF OCCUPANTS AT IMPACT AND MAY INHIBIT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; DEFECT IS PROBABLY IN ALL GM VEHICLES FROM 2003-2010; ATTACHMENTS NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS200.*SD ON APRIL 9, 2011, THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE STRUCK ON THE RIGHT PA…

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PETITION FOR DEFECT AND RECALL RE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE GM ALGORITHMS IDENTIFYING THE WEIGHT AND SIZE OF OCCUPANTS AT IMPACT AND MAY INHIBIT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; DEFECT IS PROBABLY IN ALL GM VEHICLES FROM 2003-2010; ATTACHMENTS NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS200.*SD ON APRIL 9, 2011, THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE STRUCK ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE BY A CHEVROLET TAHOE FORCING THEM TO VIOLENTLY COLLIDED INTO THE CENTER CEMENT RETAINING BARRIER WITH ITS FRONT LEFT SIDE. ALTHOUGH, THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND PROPERLY WEARING HIS SEAT BELT HE SUSTAINED SEVERE AND PERMANENT BRAIN INJURIES IN THE SIDE IMPACT COLLISION, WHEN HIS AIR BAG FAILED TO PROPERLY INFLATE. THE DRIVER WAS ALSO INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10568388

Official recalls

2

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Aug 3, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14001 · Passenger Air Bag Ocs Algorithm

Opened Jul 22, 2014 · Closed Mar 7, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.

Air Bags

The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.